Wifey came home with this old nail box and wants me to clean it up so she can use it for decor in the house. it had old nails, mouse turds, rust and dust in it. Any suggestions?
I blew it out with compressed air the gave it a quick once over with a plastic putty knife. I have some bees wax polish somewhere...
Not sure I would wax over mouse pee - which probably accompanied the turds. I would at least wipe it down with either vinegar or bleach water. Yes, bleach will lighten parts of it, but shouldn't hurt the wood itself as long as you don't leave it soaking. Let it dry really well, then wax or finish as desired.
I’ve heard to use “lemon oil.” Ima try some on an old bit of unfinished casework.... be a while til I can tho.
Warner, I was advised that too from an old timer, though another recommended Danish Oil. I let a neat old box let sit too long and when I went to scrubbed the mouse poop and urine out it took too much of the wood pulp (granted it was in much worse shape than your wife's mailbox with previous water damage) but I still regret it. I have two very old paintings that my grandfather (b.1905) painted. I knew better then, after taking the painting out so I could wash the frames, just a quick wetting and soft bristled dish brush then dried immediately to remove the stuck mouse poo and some urine. Whatever urine that was left in now under lemon oil. It does not smell.
Thanks guys! She gave it a spray down with whit vinegar/ water and a light scrub with a brush. Came out pretty good. I get to rub the wax on tonight. Jack Straw i set you up for that one!
fishingpol does a lot of refinishing of old wood items but he hasn't been on here a lot lately as they moved houses and he got busy.
Don't forget we need pics! Actually, a pic of just the cleaning with vinegar water would be nice, then one with the wax.
When the treated wood decks get dark, I use bleach/water combo with a scrub brush and elbow grease. Rinse it off with 100% water and the wood looks new and restored once again.
Yes the idea was to keep the aged look but get the crud off. I didn’t get a pic after she cleaned it up but here is a pic with the wax on.
